Best Blue Flowers To Grow In Containers

If you love the color ‘BLUE,’ learn about the best blue flowers you can grow in containers!

1. Morning Glory ‘Heavenly Blue’

USDA Zones– 9 – 11, annual in lower zones

Climate– Morning glory is a frost tender vine that is perennial in warm climates

There are only very few flowers that provide true blue color like the ‘Heavenly Blue’ Morning Glory. Growing morning glory in containers is absolutely easy in a medium-sized pot. Keep the plant in full sun, provide some shade in the afternoon (if the sun is intense in your area) and it will grow.

2. Hydrangea

USDA Zones– 3 – 9

Climate–Hydrangeas can be grown in temperate and moderately warm climates.

Hydrangeas can change the color of their blooms according to the soil pH. If the soil is acidic, they turn into blue (add soil sulfur to lower the pH). For growing hydrangeas in pots, a large container is required with a diameter of at least 18 inches. Provide morning sun with shade in the afternoon and moist and well-drained soil. HGTV has an informative article on Hydrangea varieties.

4. Cornflower (Bachelor’s Button)

USDA Zones– 2 – 11

Climate– As cornflower is grown as an annual, it can thrive easily in almost all the climates

This wildflower can be an excellent addition to your container garden if you like to have a cottage garden like feeling and attract wildlife. As it never grows above 3 feet tall, a small to medium sized container is what you need. This low maintenance flowering plant blooms a lot with regular deadheading. To learn about its varieties, click here!

5. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

USDA Zones– 5 – 9

Climate– Prefers moderate climate but can be grown in hot areas with care

One of the most popular ornamental shrubs, you can definitely grow this hardy hibiscus in a container. A few of the best blue varieties (don’t expect true blue) you can look for are Blue Bird, Blue Chiffon, and Blue Satin. The shrub has the potential to grow up to 8-10 feet tall on the ground. So you may need a medium-large sized container. *Choose the size of the container according to the current state of the plant.

6. Delphinium

USDA Zones– 3 – 8

Climate– Growing this flowering plant is possible if you live in a climate with cool summers

Delphiniums are great for spicing up the borders in summer, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t grow them in containers. The true blue color they offer is rare. Choose a medium to a small sized container (depending on the type you’re growing).

7. Viola/Pansy

USDA Zones– 2 – 11

Climate– Can be grown as an annual/biennial in almost every climate

The names “Viola” and “Pansy a.but there is a slight difference in them. While they bloom in fall and spring, the blooming period of these beautiful flowers is winter in hot areas (USDA Zones 10-11). They come in almost every color, and you can easily find a variety in the shade of blue. True Blue, Blue Blotch, and Neon Violet are a few names you can look for.

8. Petunia

USDA Zones– 9b – 11

Climates– Growing petunia is possible in every climate as an annual. They are perennial in warm climates

The most favorite annual flower, available in almost every color and blooms so abundantly. Petunia flowers are absolutely joyful to look at. You can easily find transplants in blue color in your nearby nurseries or look at seed catalogs on the web for more options. Read these petunia growing tips to learn growing petunias in pots!

9. Lobelia

USDA Zones– All Zones

Climate– Lobelia can be grown in any climate as an annual

Lobelia is another annual that we loved to add to our list of best blue flowers for containers. While many of its varieties are available in white, pink, and red color the most commonly seen color is blue. You can grow it in small containers, spilled flower pot, and hanging baskets and in beautiful container arrangements as a filler like this arrangement above– Lobelia, creeping jenny, and purple petunias!

10. Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)

Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’

USDA Zones– 3 – 11

Climate– It is possible to grow it in almost every climate, either as a short-lived perennial or an annual.

Growing scabiosa in containers is not difficult. Providing it the full sun is a good idea. However, if you live in a warm climate, it is better to keep this plant in the partial sun. They are low maintenance and have a very long flowering season.

11. Salvia

USDA Zones– 9 – 11

Climate– Most of the salvias prefer warm subtropical and tropical climate to grow as a perennial, but they are a cinch to grow even in cold areas as an annual.

Choose a medium-sized container that is wide as well, and place it in a spot that receives full sun (shade in the afternoon in tropics). Keep the soil moist but see if it remains well-drained. See this article to learn about the best blue salvia varieties.

12. Geranium

USDA Zones– 4 – 9

Climate– Hardy geraniums are cold tolerant and thrive best in moderately cool climate

Hardy geranium (cranesbill) has really long growing season in the garden. They are low maintenance and suitable for container planting. There are varieties like Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and Geranium Johnson’s Blue that provide alluring blue color. You can even grow them in hanging baskets and window boxes. To learn about growing geranium in containers, click here!

13. Grape Hyacinth

USDA Zones– 4 – 8

Climate– Suitable for most climates except tropical and semi-arid regions

This spring flowering bulb provides beautiful blue color and looks like a miniature hyacinth. Easy to grow in containers, it doesn’t grow above 8 inches tall. You can combine several of them with other annuals or grasses. Keep it in full sun or partial shade and water moderately. Avoid waterlogging of soil by checking if it’s well-drained and avoid overwatering.

14. Plumbago

USDA Zones– 8 – 11

Climate– It is perennial in a tropical and subtropical climate, but you can try to grow it in temperates (down to Zone 5) by keeping it indoors in winter.

Growing plumbago in containers is not at all difficult if you take care of its basic needs, provide full sun and water moderately when required. It can be trained as a shrub using a stake and looks so fascinating when in bloom, the sky blue colored flowers make this plant worth trying.

15. Evolvulus (Dwarf Morning Glory)

Image Credit: Proven Winners

USDA Zones– USDA Zones 9 – 11, grown as an annual in lower zones

Climate– It loves warm weather, heat, and full day exposure to the sun

This morning glory cousin is also called known as dwarf morning glory. It can be grown in containers, hanging baskets and designer planters. Its sky blue flowers are true blue, a hybrid called ‘Blue My Mind’ has more intense flowers, which is available at Proven Winners!

16. Bellflower (Campanula)

USDA Zones– 3 – 9, some of the varieties are also available for zones 10 and 11

Climate– The flowers of this genus can be grown in any climate (depending on the type), either as a perennial, biennial or an annual.

Bellflowers are available in pink, violet, white, and blue colors. You can grow them in small to medium-sized containers and hanging baskets.

17. Aster

USDA Zones– 3 – 9

Climate– Aster prefers the climate with cool summers. In hot climates, it can be grown as an annual.

This prolific flower blooms in summer and fall and is available in so many colors, including the blue. While some of its varieties can grow up to 6-8 tall, it is usually a low growing flowering plant.

18. Balloon Flower

USDA Zones– 3 – 9

Climate– Suitable for cold climates

Balloon flower is known for its balloon shaped unopened flower buds. However, the open flower is more of a star-shaped and available in the shades of pink, white, and blue. Growing it is easy in pots. Keep the plant in a spot that receives full sun, but shade in the afternoon in warmer regions.

19. Iris

USDA Zones– 3 – 10

Climate– Irises prefer cool and moderate climate, but the varieties are also available for hot regions. Visit Florida Gardener to learn more

While blue and purple are the most common colors in bearded varieties, you can look for other colors when growing iris in containers. A 12 inches pot is sufficient for bearded iris. Choose a spot that is sunny and water frequently but only when the soil dries out.

20. Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)

USDA Zones– 9 – 11

Climate– Perennial in warm climates, grown as an annual in colder regions

Angelonia is one of the best performers in the harsh summer heat, available in colors like pink, white, red, purple, and especially the blue. It is easy to grow in a pot and has a long blooming period.